Decision makers

Tell Congress: Vote NO on the Intrusive Patriot Act

Do you remember the Patriot Act? Rushed through Congress in October 2001 with little debate, this deeply flawed legislation curtails our fundamental freedoms.

The Patriot Act gave the government the power to access your medical records, tax records, and information about the books you buy or borrow without probable cause. It also gave the government the power to break into your home and conduct secret searches without telling you for weeks, months, or indefinitely.

And now, just like in 2001, legislation is moving quickly. Congress recently extended three provisions of the Patriot Act that were due to expire at the end of February. Those three provisions will now expire at the end of May.

For almost ten years the Patriot Act has given the government too much leeway to pry into our private lives. For example, section 215 of the Patriot Act permits the government to obtain things in investigations even if the person is not suspected of doing anything wrong.

Urge your Representatives to vote NO on an extension of the Patriot Act. Rather than allow the expiring provisions to be rubberstamped again, Congress should seize this opportunity to make reform of the Patriot Act a priority. It's past time that our government stopped violating the rights of everyday people who have nothing to do with terrorism.

There's more evidence than ever that Patriot Act abuse is a real and present danger.

For almost ten years the Patriot Act has given the government too much leeway to pry into our private lives. For example, section 215 of the Patriot Act, which you will be voting on, permits the government to obtain things in investigations even if the person is not suspected of doing anything wrong.

I therefore urge you to vote against any efforts to reauthorize the Patriot Act. Rather than allow the expiring provisions to be rubberstamped again, Congress should seize this opportunity to make reform of the Patriot Act a priority. It's past time that our government stopped violating the rights of everyday people who have nothing to do with terrorism.